The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain

By: Garth Stein

Rating: ****

            From the very beginning of this telltale novel, Garth Stein has created an unbreakable bond between reader and Golden Retriever Enzo. Instead of creating a novel that is in Denny Swift’s point of view, the main character, Enzo the dog replaces Denny with a unique character that has this idea that he will come into his next life as a human, and that he is ready whenever nature is ready to make him human. The Art of Racing in the Rain is a wonderful story about how the relationship between dog and man can go far beyond normal levels, and that that relationship can transform into a loving, unbreakable bond between Denny Swift and his trusting follower, Enzo. 

            Enzo, the main character in which the books curves around, is a loving, thinking dog that has this enormous imagination about how his next life will be of a human and that if he is good natured in this life, he will come back as a human equivalent. (He gets this idea from the Mongolian legend that dogs will come back as humans in their next life) Although Enzo is not able to communicate directly to his owner, Denny Swift, he is able to connect on a spiritual level that only a dog and his owner are able to have together. Throughout the novel their adventures together strengthen as Denny discovers his dream in life to become a race car driver. While Denny uncovers his natural talents, Enzo glues himself to the TV and reaches the inner intellectual that wants to come out in the next life: “Here’s why I will be a good person. Because I listen. I cannot speak, so I listen very well. I never interrupt; I never deflect the course of the conversation with a comment of my own…” (Enzo) As the story continues, Enzo is faced with the troubles of a typical dog and his owner including the introduction of a lady friend of Denny’s who takes control of the life of his owner, and slowly takes Denny away from Enzo.

            All together this book has moved me as a person and an animal owner. I have found a greater respect for the animals that live next to me every day, and I have taken so much from this book that no other book is able to offer me. I have to give this book a wonderful rating not because I feel obligated to, but because it is my truthful feeling about this novel; everyone should read this book and enjoy it to the core and take in every ounce that it has to offer so that they can learn like I have. The Art of Racing in the Rain has inspired me to write about the animals in my life and become a person who enjoys the company of my animals to the fullest of my ability.